Apparatus for the installation of refractory blocks

ABSTRACT

AN APPARATUS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF REFRACTORY BLOCKS OR STONES AT THE CONTROL-OR SHUTOFF SLIDE MECHANISM OF A LIQUID METAL CONTAINER OR THE LIKE WHICH COMPRISES FRAME MEANS, AND POSITIONING MEANS FOR THE MOVABLE SLIDE ELEMENT OF THE SLIDE MECHANISM PROVIDED AT THE FRAME MEANS. A CENTERING MANDREL IS SUPPORTED IN THE FRAME MEANS AND IS ADAPTED TO ALWAYS ENGAGE WITH A REFRACTORY BLOCK OR STONE. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS PROVIDED A PRES-IN MECHANISM INCLUDING A PRESS MANDREL HAVING A PRESS AXIS. THE PRESS MANDREL IS MOUNTED TO BE RELATIVELY MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO THE FRAME MEANS INTO AT LEAST TWO WORKING POSITIONS. THE PRESS-IN MECHANISM SERVES TO DISPLACE THE FRAME MEANS AND THE PRESS MANDREL RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER. IN ONE OF THE WORKING POSITIONS THE PRESS AXIS OF THE PRESS MANDREL COINCIDES WITH THE LENGTHWISE AXIS OF THE CENTERING MANDREL AND IN THE OTHER WORKING POSITION THIS PRESS AXIS IS DISPLACED PARALLEL TO SUCH LENGTHWISE AXIS.

Feb. 23, 1971 BTINNES 3,564,698

APPARATUS FOR :THE INSTALLATION OF REFRACTORY BLOCKS Filed July 1, 1968 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 1 v 2 Q I 25 .2 38 3O 34' INVENTOR all V6 0 /A/A Ef ATTORNEY; I

.Feb .l 97l v 9 5 3,564,698

APPARATUS FOR THE INS ALL TIO REFRACTORY BLOCKS Filed Jul 1, 1958 1 I v z sheets-sheetz Fig. 2 I

INVENTOR an /m 7/01 51 {han ATTORNEYJ' United Sttes Patent O 3,564,698 APPARATUS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF REFRACTORY BLOCKS Bernhard Tinnes, Zollikon, Switzerland, assignor to Metacon A.G., Zollikon, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Filed July 1, 1968, Ser. No. 741,453

Claims priority, application Switzerland, July 6, 1967,

9,567 67 Int. Cl. B23p 19/02 US. Cl. 29-251 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for the installation of refractory blocks or stones at the control-or shutoff slide mechanism of a liquid metal container or the like which comprises frame means, and positioning means for the movable slide element of the slide mechanism provided at the frame means. A centering mandrel is supported in the frame means and is adapted to always engage with a refractory block or stone. Furthermore, there is provided a press-in mechanism including a press mandrel having a press axis. The press mandrel is mounted to be relatively movable with respect to the frame means into at least two working positions. The press-in mechanism serves to displace the frame means and the press mandrel relative to one another. In one of the working positions the press axis of the press mandrel coincides with the lengthwise axis of the centering mandrel and in the other working position this press axis is displaced parallel to such lengthwise axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for the installation of refractory blocks or stones in the movable slide element of a control-or shutoff slide mechanism of a liquid metal container or the like.

It is necessary to oftentimes replace or exchange the refractory blocks or stones of the slide closure mechanisms of liquid metal containers, due to the high temperatures or thermal loads to which such blocks are subjected. In carrying out this replacement operation it is of paramount importance for the functionality of the slide closure mechanism that the refractory blocks which are secured by mortar in the metallic components of the slide housing which, for instance, is rigidly connected with the ladle, or the mortar-connected blocks of the slide element, assume a predetermined relative position. In other words, these blocks must be centrally aligned with respect to the pouring axis and, in particular, the actual slide block or stone arranged at the movable slide element, hereinafter such slide block or stone being referred to as a slide plate, must assume a predetermined elevational position in order to insure for a tight closure with the bottom block or stone mounted at the slide housing. Naturally, it is of equal paramount importance for the functionality of the slide element that the surface of the slide plate is disposed in a plane which extends parallel to that of the bottom block or stone.

The exact manual mounting or installation of the slide plate and also the pouring block or stone, hereinafter referred to as the pouring sleeve member, into the movable slide element not only places very high demands upon the skill of the operating personnel, rather it is also extremely time consuming and cumbersome. Therefore, it has already been proposed to utilize auxiliary devices for the installation of the refractory blocks or stones at the slide closure mechanism, which possess means for aligning or centering the blocks.

3,554,698 Patented Feb. 23, 1971 "ice SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for the installation of refractory blocks or the like at the movable slide element.

Another, more specific object of the present invention relates to improved apparatus for the installation of refractory blocks at the movable slide element of a controlor shutoif slide mechanism of a liquid metal container or the like in a highly efiicient, accurate, quick and relatively easy manner.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates to an improved apparatus which enables refractory blocks or stones to be mounted quickly, easily, and without requiring exceptional skills on the part of the operating personnel, into or at the movable slide element of a control-or shutoff slide mechanism of a liquid metal container or the like.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the present invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the inventive apparatus is generally manifested by the features of a frame means equipped with positioning means for the movable slide element. A centering mandrel is retained at the frame means and serves to always engage in one of the blocks. Additionally, there is provided a press man drel which is movable relative to the frame means into at least two working positions. Additionally, there is provided a press-in mechanism which includes the press mandrel, this press-in mechanism serving to move the frame means and press mandrel relative to one another. The press axis of the press mandrel in one of the working positions coincides with the lengthwise axis of the centering mandrel and in the other working position this press axis is displaced parallel to such lengthwise axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view through the inventive apparatus during mounting or installation of the pouring sleeve member;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the exemplary embodiment of inventive apparatus as shown in the position depicted in FIG. 1, with the right-hand portion of such figure being cut away to expose details of the cooperative relationship of pressure plate and slide element, and wherein certain components at the right-hand side of such figure have been omitted for purposes of clarity in illustration;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 during mounting of the slide plate; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in the position of HG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is depicted a substantially box-like frame means 2 which is formed by a base plate 4, the side wall members 6 and 8, a dual component cover plate unit 10, 10, and a rear Wall 12 (FIGS. 2 and 4). The cover plate unit 10, 10', carries two guide rail members 14 and 16 provided with two guide grooves 18 which in profile or cross section are substantially U-shaped. These guide grooves 18 extend in parallelism to one another at a predetermined spacing from one another. Both of the components 10 and 10" of the cover plate unit as well as both of the guide rails 14 3 and 16 limit or bound therebetween an elongate opening 20 appearing at the upper side of the frame means 2'.

A column or standard 24 provided with a base or pedestal 22 is secured in vertical position at the component of the cover plate unit 10, 10, externally of the guide rail 14. Furthermore, a column tube 28 rotatably mounted upon the column 24 is secured against axial displacement by means of an end plate 26 which is secured to the upper end of this column 24. The column tube 28 carries a radial arm member 30. A press-in threaded spindle member 32 extends through the free end of the radial arm member 30 and parallel to the column 24. The upper end of the aforementioned threaded spindle member 32 carries a handwheel 34 and at its lower end it carries a base member 36. This base member 36 is preferably rotatably mounted with regard to the threaded spindle member 32. Furthermore, the end plate 26 is provided with two axially parallel bores 38 and 38 which are offset through 180 with respect to one another. A positioning pin 40 can be selectively inserted in one or the other of these bores 38 and 38. In so doing, the pin 40 can be selectively brought into engagement with one of two bores 42 and 42' provided at the radially extending arm member 30. Furthermore, both of these bores 42 and 42' are offset or displaced with respect to one another more or less, respectively, than 180, and specifically in such a manner that when the pin 40 piercingly extends through the bores 38 and 42 the radial arm member 30 encloses an acute angle a with respect to that position in which the bore members 38 and 42 are pierced by such pin 40.

Continuing, it will be recognized that a guide tube 44 is secured to the base plate 4. The longitudinal or lengthwise axis of this guide tube 44 extends parallel to the lengthwise axis of the column 24 and in one of both predetermined pivotal positions of the radial arm member 30 the lengthwise axis of such guide tube 44 coincides with the longitudinal axis of the press-in spindle member 32. Furthermore, the guide tube 44 contains a gear or toothed rack 46 which is guided to be axially displaceable and without play within such guide tube 44. As best recognized by referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a drive pinion 50 operably connected with a handwheel 48 engages or meshes with this toothed rack 46. The toothed rack 46 is connected at its upper end with a centering mandrel 52, forming a co-axial extension of this gear or toothed rack 46. In the upper terminal position of the centering mandrel 52 the latter piercingly extends through the box-like frame means 2. Additionally, a threaded ring member 54 which is secured to the base plate 4 is arranged substantially co-axially with respect to the centering mandrel 52. An adjustment or positioning nut member 56 is threaded upon the threaded ring member 54.

A movable slide element 60 of a slide closure mechanism of the type for instance employed at the pouring ladle, is arranged in the box-like frame means 2. More particularly, it will be seen that the movable slide element 60 bears upon the guide rails 14 and 16 and engages by means of its guide ledges 62 in the associated guide grooves 18. As recognized by referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the slide element 60 is additionally in contact at its one end with a positioning or adjustment screw member 58 which is inserted in the rear wall 12. Consequently, the slide element 60 assumes an exactly predetermined spatial position with respect to the frame means 2.

In the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the centering mandrel 52 piercingly extends through the sleeveshaped pouring portion 64 which extends downwardly from the slide element 60 and centers within such pouring portion 64 the cylindrical pouring sleeve 66 formed of refractory material, during such time as the latter is pressed into the slide element 60 by means of the press-in spindle member 32. Now, in order to press in the sleeve member 66 a pressure plate member 68 is mounted upon this sleeve member 66, and the arms 70 (FIG. 2) of this pressure plate 68 bear against the upper end of the slide element 60 when the sleeve member 66 has reached its predetermined position within the pouring portion 64. In order to press in the sleeve member 66 the radial arm 30 is located in the position secured by the pin member 40 and shown in FIG. 2, in which the spindle member 32 and the centering mandrel 52 extend co-axially with respect to one another. The positioning nut member 56 is preferably first then brought into the position shown in FIG. 1 after the sleeve member 66 has reached its predetermined position in the slide element 60.

Now, if the slide plate 72 (FIG. 2) which in plan view is of substantially oval configuration, should be pressed into the corresponding recess of the slide element 60, with the throughflow opening 74 of such slide plate 72 being offset with respect to the center point 76 (FIG. 4) of this block in its lengthwise direction, then, the radial arm member 30 must be pivoted, with respect to the position of FIG. 2, in counterclockwise direction through the angle a. In so doing, the spindle member 32 comes to lie above the center point 76 of the slide plate 72, and in the throughflow opening 74 of which there engages an extension 78 of the centering mandrel 52. This extension member 78 is detachably connected with the centering mandrel 52. The pressure exerted by the spindle member 32 is transmitted through the agency of a second pressure plate 80 (FIGS. 3 and 4) upon the slide plate 72. The arm members 82 of the pressure plate 80 come to bear upon the movable slide element 60 when the slide plate 72 has reached its tfinal position. The positioning nut member 56 prevents that the sleeve member 66 will be displaced downwardly under the action of any existing pressure resulting during pressing in of the slide plate 72.

In order to remove the slide element 60 from the frame means '2 it is possible to retract the centering mandrel 52 within the tube 44 at the end of the pressing in operation; likewise, the adjustment nut member 56 can be downwardly threaded to such an extent that the pouring portion 64 is released.

Naturally, it is possible to replace the spindle member 32 as well as also the drive for the centering mandrel 52 by a hydraulic unit or to use a different mechanical actuation. For example, as best observed by referring to FIG. 1, the hydraulic unit for driving the centering mandrel 52 may comprise a suitable hydraulic cylinder attached to the lower end of tube 44, this cylinder 100 containing a fluid-actuated displaceable piston member 101 whose piston rod 102 may be operatively connected with the member 46 or else directly to the centering mandrel 52 in order to selectively drivingly displace such mandrel.

The described exemplary embodiment of inventive apparatus has the advantage that the arm member 30 can be completely pivoted to the side in order to free the upper surface of the slide element. As a result, all components of the apparatus and the slide mechanism are therefore easily accessible.

It still remains to be mentioned that it would, of course, be possible to replace the arm member 30 with the spindle member 32 by an appropriate pivotable countersupport and to carry out the contact movement by performing an axial displacement of the frame means 2 or a portion thereof. With such type of physical structure of the apparatus it would also be conceivable to fixedly arrange the countersupport at the frame means and to construct at least the portion of the frame means which carries the slide element 60 so as to be not only axially displaceable, but rather to also be pivotable so that it can assume both of the working positions or to displaceably mount such for movement along a linear path. Naturally, in this case the portion of the frame means carrying the centering mandrel together with the portion carrying the slide must be movable. In the case of both of the previously mentioned embodiments of the apparatus, it would be possible to particularly advantageously use a hydraulic actuation of the centering mandrel as well as also the press-in mechanism, the latter of which engages with the frame means.

It should be apparent from the foregoing detailed description, that the objects set forth at the outset to the specification have been successfully achieved.

Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the installation of refractory blocks at the control-or shutoff slide mechanism of a liquid metal container, comprising frame means, positioning means for the movable slide element of the slide mechanism provided at said frame means, a centering mandrel supported at said frame means and adapted to engage with a refractory block, a press-in mechanism including a press mandrel, said press mandrel having a press axis and being relatively movable with respect to said frame means into at least two working positions, said press-in mechanism serving to displace said frame means and press mandrel in one of said working positions substantially coinciding with the lengthwise axis of said centering mandrel and in the other working position said press axis being displaced substantially parallel to said lengthwise axis.

2. Apparatus for the installation of refractory blocks as defined in claim 1, further including a component which is rigidly connected with said frame means, said press-in mechanism incorporating an arm member which is pivotable between said two working positions, said arm member being mounted at said rigidly connected component.

3. Apparatus for the installation of refractory blocks as defined in claim 1, wherein said press-in mechanism incorporates threaded spindle means.

4. Apparatus for the installation of refractory blocks as defined in claim 1, wherein said press-in mechanism incorporates a hydraulically actuated piston member.

5. Apparatus for the installation of refractory blocks as defined in claim 1, further including means for selec- 6 tively securing said press-in mechanism in both of said working positions.

6. Apparatus for the installation of refractory 'blocks as defined in claim 1, further including means for axial- 5 1y displacing said centering mandrel.

7. Apparatus for the'installation of refractory blocks as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for axially displacing said centering mandrel incorporates gear rack means.

10 8. Apparatus for the installation of refractory blocks as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for axially displacing said centering mandrel incorporates hydraulic means.

9. Apparatus for the installation of refractory blocks as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame means defines a housing into which there can be displaced said movable slide element.

10. Apparatus for the installation of refractory blocks as defined in claim 1, wherein said positioning means provided at said frame means includes guide rail means.

11. Apparatus for the installation of refractory blocks as defined in claim 6, further including adjustment nut means provided at said frame means and adjustable substantially coaxial with respect to said centering mandrel. 25

References Cited ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner J. C. PETERS, Assistant Examiner 

